Emergency Tree Works : What Is It And Why Does It Matter?

At Multivill, we don’t just focus on Grounds Maintenance, our background is in tree works. I actually attended college, studying Forestry and Arboriculture and found my way into the industry from there. When working around trees you quickly learn that they can be deceptive, what’s happening on the inside isn’t always evidenced on the outside. A seemingly healthy tree can fall in a light breeze when the conditions are right. The heartwood may be completely rotted through and the structural integrity of the tree may be entirely compromised. What this internal variety can also mean is that the pressures aren't where they appear to be. A tree that is leaning one direction can fall in another. High up branches that look healthy from the ground can fail and fall in directions that aren't anticipated, or even hang up, perched precariously far above the ground, a risk to any unsuspecting pedestrian or motorist. 

As a result, emergency tree works are a crucial aspect of any tree services business. The safety and security that comes from knowing you have a response at the press of a button can be the difference between a great day and disaster, and we all know there’s little worse than a disaster occurring and having no idea who to call. 

Often, emergency tree work is not quite as dramatic as it sounds, trees tend to look worse, more dangerous, and more precarious than they really are. As a result, it’s often the case that the matter can be resolved fairly easily. A few cuts with a chainsaw will usually bring the tree to the ground, a few more will dismantle it, and then its a case of dragging or maneuvering the pieces to a safe and convenient area so that they can be removed from site and business can resume. Sometimes a larger tree will fall and the situation can be more complicated, this may require more time, more manpower, or more equipment, and often all three. 

So what can you expect if you do call for emergency tree works? Depending on the response package, and the severity of the event, someone will be with you as soon as possible, this person will usually come alone and bring a chainsaw, some ropes, some cones, and some barrier tape. They will assess the situation and decide what course to take. It may be the above situation of a few cuts resolving the issue, it may be they require more people or tools, and it may be that they decide far more organisation is required and tape off the area, with signs and cones, until such a time as they are able to get the required pieces in place. If the weather event or cause of the failure is still ongoing, they may have to wait it out for safety reasons, such as another tree falling as they work or the wind and rain preventing them from safely carrying out removals. 

Why can emergency tree work be so expensive? For a basic call out, the fee charged will usually be very reasonable, but in the event of a large or particularly unpredictable tree, the fee can be very high. The reason is simple, emergency tree work can be very dangerous. When a tree fall in an uncontrolled fashion, it will usually land with branches bent under it or come to rest on a building, wall, or another tree. This causes an immense amount of tension to be placed on the tree. As the arborist cuts these branches or the trunk, the tree can react in an unpredictable manner. Branches can snap and flick out suddenly, which even on a small tree can cause injury, but on larger trees could potentially be lethal. Trees may drop suddenly or roll in a manner that can’t be anticipated. Branches can suddenly shift and trap a leg or arm. All of this means that the arborist must proceed with the absolute highest caution and care. Added into this is that tree failures are most likely to occur in bad weather, meaning conditions are far less than ideal for tree work to be carried out, slippery ground, mossy branches, driving rain, wind, all of these things add to the element of danger experienced when carrying out emergency tree works. 

We are proud to say that we have a zero injury record on emergency tree works, which we believe is a credit to our professionalism, education, and common sense. We believe that our emergency tree service is great value for money, an essential component of any grounds maintenance service package, and simply put, peace of mind.